St Valentine's origins

1. St Valentine’s Day

2. St. Valentine's Story Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the 3rd century. That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius.

3. Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men did not want to leave their wives and families. This made Claudius furious. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. I wasn't going to support that law!

4. Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favourite activities was to marry couples. I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course.

5. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.

6. One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death.

7. I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.

8. One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. She helped me to keep my spirits up. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine."

9. I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people think about love and friendship. And they remember that love can't be beaten!

10. St Valentine’s traditions

11. Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry. As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.

12. If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.

13. Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.

14. Happy St Valentine’s Day